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Monday, December 19, 2005

War On Christmas? Bah Humbug!

And it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge.

Such was said of Ebenezer Scrooge -- after his vistation by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.

Surprisingly, the same might be said of our atheist-pacifist friend Revere, over at Effect Measure, who effectively puts a lie to those who say that us liberal secularists are waging a "war on Christmas."

I must admit to having very warm feelings for Christmas myself, but thanks to Revere for putting those feelings into words:

I consider it an American secular holiday. The commercialization and general festive air meant to promote consumption is designed to make you feel good and it does. I like it.

Here's what else I like about it. Its official theme is Peace on Earth, Good Will towards All. Doesn't get any better than that (even if it is honored in the breach). You spend a lot of time figuring out what to buy for people you care about, things you think they'll like, things that will please them and make them happy. Doesn't get any better than that either. If you have small kids it is a magical time for them, too. Our kids believed in Santa until they were indecently old. I confess we encouraged it. It made them happy and that made us happy. Compare that to Haloween, where the main idea is to extort stuff from your neighbors, or Hanukah, a minor holiday celebrating a bloody battle, or Easter, a grizzly and violent fairy tale about execution, premature burial, and perpetual debt. Makes Christmas look pretty good, if you ask me.